Manon Lescaut

ACT 1

In Amiens, France, a group of students have gathered in a large public square near the Paris gate. The students are all gambling and drinking. Edmondo, a songwriter, begins to sing a song about the pleasures of youth (“Ave, sera gentile”). Edmondo and his fellow male students pass their time flirting with all the female students. Des Grieux enters, but does not join his companions. Edmondo convinces him to feign affection for the girls, but the song that Des Grieux sings is offensive and mocks the girls (“Tra voi, belle, brune e bionde”). A coach arrives, bringing Geronte, a tax collector, and Lescaut, a soldier, who is accompanying his sister, Manon, to a convent. Des Grieux, upon seeing Manon, falls madly in love with her and goes to express his feelings to her (“Cortese damigella”). Des Grieux then learns that Manon has been promised to a convent by her father. Des Grieux tells Manon that he will help her, and when Lescaut calls to Manon, Des Grieux begs to see her later. She